Bloom

The pain of his cramping legs penetrated his awareness, making him suddenly realize that he had been kneeling in this position for some time. Settling his large frame to the floor to ease his discomfort, he kept his eyes on the brown-haired beauty before him, who was clutching two open envelopes against her chest. While he stretched out his legs, a yawn escaped him. Reaching up, he rubbed his eyes. He felt rather embarrassed that his body was betraying his fatigue. Running his fingers through his dark hair, he sheepishly glanced back at the woman and noticed that his movement had been unseen. Her concentration was still focused on the pages of the photo album that was on her lap. She was, in fact, in a world all her own.

Well, old boy, he thought to himself, this encounter is still in the infancy stage. You were able to take the first steps when she opened the package to reveal the two letters and the photo album she now clings to, but it is only a start. Watching her, he silently mapped out their next goal. Yes, it is their next goal, not just his goal for her; from now on, they were a team.

 Team, he liked the sound of it. It meant a partnership was formed and a mutual bond linked the two of them. For some reason, not recognized by him, his body began to tingle at the idea. Instead of fighting off the feeling, he closed his eyes and let the experience pass through him.

When he reopened his eyes, they were met with a very red, swollen pair. He blushed when he realized she may have witnessed his display of emotion. Smiling to cover his embarrassment, he hoped to have it returned but was slightly disappointed when he noticed that she was not seeing him. She was lost in her memories. He knew this was a very good sign, but part of him wanted desperately to shake her and bring her to the present leaving the past where it belonged. You are a hypocrite, he screamed to himself. You want from her what you can’t do yourself. He clenched his hands into fists then muttered a profanity under his breath.

***

Grandma Jo was still sitting on the couch and observing them. She noticed Dr. Mark Stevens stretch out his long, 6’ 4”, frame while he yawned widely. Her heart went out to this man, who had, in the past year, become an important part of her life. Glancing at her watch, she realized that twenty-four hours had passed since the arrival of the package that had summoned them to this place. It didn’t seem possible that so much had happened in only one day’s time frame. The package had been the key that had brought Mark from the clinic to Sami Carter, a former patient, and subsequently her arrival, also. It had taken many hours to awaken Sami from her hypnotic trance, which was from the shock of the package’s arrival. Together, they had probed into her past, overcoming great difficulties unlocking the secrets to revive her. Sami, at times, had not been too cooperative. Grandma Jo, however, felt that she had missed the crucial turning point last night when she fell asleep. Yet, seeing Sami now, with the contents of the package at hand, and knowing that finally, they had gained some ground toward helping her, Grandma Jo felt relieved and sighed deeply.

***

Mark jumped as a hand touched his shoulder. Quickly, he looked up at the owner of the hand and instantly relaxed as he gazed into the comforting face of Grandma Jo. She recognized and understood the fatigue that she saw written on his face. She loved this boy and knew that sleep was what he needed now. It was her turn to ‘step up to bat’ and take over, giving him time for the much-deserved rest he needed to recharge his body. She smiled down at him and motioned with her head for him to follow her.

Mark peered back at Sami to find her consumed with the photos again. Satisfied that she was fine for the moment, he rose to his feet.

Sami caught his movement and looked up from the album. Mark thought that her features made her appear to be both extremely old and young at the same time. Her eyes locked on him. He grew anxious being on the receiving end of that look.

“What?” he asked her quietly.

Sami’s mind was screaming. Questions were bouncing around inside of her head. She found herself wanting so desperately to stop them, but found it hard to concentrate on one thought.  constant care for the next couple of days, weeks, months, or maybe possibly years. Her defenses were down and she was vulnerable at this time. He needed to come up with a game plan to ensure that she had adequate care. No, more than that, he needed to care for her. From his previous day’s search, he knew that the Centers, they referred patients to regularly, were not available. He knew that hospitals were out of the question because she had divulged her fear of them. He racked his brain for an alternative. He scanned around the room in which he was now standing. It had been adequate surroundings for their short-term care, but for the long term, there was not enough room to house them all. It would take both Grandma Jo and him to accomplish his goals for Sami, and he needed a place that would meet all requirements.

Mark became aware of the fixed gaze that Sami now had directed on him. She had waited for an answer while he mentally pursued the housing issue. He had to come up with an option, but there was too much at stake to make a quick decision.

Reaching down deep within him, he managed to plaster a fake smile on his lips before he could address her. Finally, he decided to tell her the truth rather than waste any more time trying to come up with a plausible lie. “Sami,” he began, then hesitated, reconsidering this plan. “I need to speak with Grandma Jo in the kitchen for a few minutes.” Mark was happy with the fact that he didn’t lie to her, but he had a feeling that she knew, somehow, he had something else in mind.

Mark watched as Sami placed the photo album aside, and started to rise to her feet. Now, he found himself asking the same question that Sami had voiced moments earlier. “Where are you going?”

Sami was on her feet and turned toward him with an expression that he had inwardly started to hate. It was the ‘I want to control’ look. Being on the receiving end of that glare made him uneasy, and she bluntly replied to his question. “With you.”  language. He read into her movements that she was treading on thin ice. She kept her voice low, her actions smooth, not jerky, and her eyes alert. He found himself instantly thanking his guardian angel for bringing Grandma Jo into his life. Smiling, he knew in his heart that she was just what this doctor had needed. Her years of experience working with patients were evident in the way she handled Sami at this moment. His love deepened and deep respect filled his heart as he watched her.

Sami, on the other hand, Mark thought as his eyes turned to her, was reborn. He was surprised that this particular word had entered his thoughts. “Why did I choose that word? Out of all the possible words in the English language, why did that one come to mind?” he muttered to himself. Pondering this, he watched Sami follow the step-by-step directions given to her by Grandma Jo.

Mark caught the expression on Sami’s face as she gazed upon Grandma Jo. Witnessing it answered his questions, for on her face was written her total innocence. She virtually hung on every word spoken by Grandma Jo. He got an overwhelming impression that she was blocking out her whole past, and everything before is the exact moment the td has been erased in her memory. Mark wondered what materials this new wall was constructed. Which tools were required by him to knock it down forever?

“You’re a wonderful doctor. You will find the right path and the necessary two chambers of his mind.

“Thanks love, for the reassuring words,” he answered the voice softly. Armed now with this new awareness, Mark walked over to the ladies in the kitchen. “What’s for breakfast?” he boomed. He wanted them out of the tomb of silence, needing to have the control back on his side of the table.

He watched with satisfaction as both of them jumped at his tone. Grandma Jo was the first to turn in his direction. Her face registered surprise at his method of approach, but before she could voice her alarm, Mark winked at her. A smile crossed her features, and her shoulders relaxed as it dawned on her exactly what he had in mind.

Mark turned his head in the direction of Sami, who was now just turning to meet his gaze. Her face showed her true feelings, he thought. She would never be able to bluff her way in poker, he realized, causing him to laugh inwardly. Exposed on her face, were insecurity, fear, confusion, loss, plus other emotions that he couldn’t quite identify. His heartbeat quickened at the sight. Oh well, he thought, get used to it, buddy. You are in this battle until the end.

Mark thought of Sami’s painting of the rose which had been instrumental in helping him find a pathway to her recovery. Taking a deep breath he began, “Sami, we are about to embark on a journey that will tear you down to the bare roots, but I promise you now that, by the end, you will be solidly anchored and in full bloom.”